Magnus said, “Twill be verra fine music though twill nae be as good as the Food Fighters.”
I chuckled.
“And aye, we will need good music tae get us through this meal, all our patiences will be tested, we will want our moods lifted.”
Sean said, “Ye are speakin’ on Lizbeth? She will be good, she is just havin’ trouble with thinkin’ on what her future holds.”
“That is why I brought presents.”
The musician began to play, the melody filling the room. It was the perfect volume, didn’t drown conversation, but filled the silences, turning the whole hall festive.
We stood in small knots, talking in low voices, waiting for the Earl. Magnus exhaled, his eyes flicked toward the door.
The hall waited. No one sat until the Earl descended. It was custom, respect, ritual. My stomach growled.
To distract myself from my hunger I asked, “How are you feeling, Lizbeth?”
She said, “I daena mean tae be rude, Kaitlyn, but I feel as if I need everyone tae stop askin’ how I feel.”
I said, “Whelp, yes, point taken.”
She nodded, her eyes scanning the room. “I will go meet the page at the door.”
She bustled off.
Magnus watched her go. “Och, I haena ever seen her in this state.”
I said, “She’s kind of snippy, she’s not usually like that, at least not to me.”
He asked, from his expression only half-joking, “What if I just grabbed her up right now and just took her tae the kingdom? What does James call it, ‘better tae ask forgiveness than permission’?”
Sean said, “Och nae, Young Magnus, this is our sister, nae good comes of forcin’ her tae do anything she daena want tae do.”
I said, “A kidnapping is not going to set her mind at ease, and you’d have to do it to Liam too.AndSean.”
Sean said, “I would like tae see ye try tae grab me, Young Magnus, and take me without my agreement. Ye might be bigger and a king, but daena forget I am more skilled at combat.”
Magnus said, “Ye believe ye are more skilled at combat than Magnus the First?”
“I know it, Young Magnus, tis a truth, I was born a few years afore ye, I hae had a head start. But… ye ken,” he smiled, “let us not discover the truth by trial, just accept tis true, and allow me tae believe it without argument.”
Magnus chuckled. “Aye, fine, ye hae the wisdom of an auld man and therefore ye would be able tae beat me in combat, I winna test it by grabbin’ ye and Lizbeth up and draggin’ ye away. I am nae a brute, and I truly just want what is best for ye.” His eyes traveled to Lizbeth with Liam standing beside her. “But she is tormenting poor Liam, he would probably help me cart ye both off just for the peace of it.”
I laughed. “Well, we’re not going to do that, we’re going to be sensible?—”
Finally, Lizbeth returned, Liam in tow.
“The Earl has said he will be down in a few minutes.”
Sean wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Och nae, the hunger is causin’ me tae drool.”
It was another twenty minutes of waiting before the Earl entered, walking slowly, flanked by four guards. He had his high wig on. Rouge on his cheeks. The lace at his throat, his shoes with jewels on the buckles. He was wearing breeches, but he did not look hot in them,thatwas a relief.
The music stopped, we all quieted.
He didn’t speak to any of us, but went directly to his chair, and sat down, regally. He pulled a cloth napkin up and spread it in his lap, looking at the empty plate as if irritated it hadn’t been filled yet.
That move triggered action and the servants rushed about delivering his food. We broke our circles and beelined for our chairs to sit down. Suddenly it was noisy as the music started, the plates and spoons and bowls clattered, and people conversed about serving and the meal.
